Zhengzhou 郑州

Zhengzhou East District at dusk
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zhengzhou_East_District.jpg
Author: Mark Nan Tu


Zhengzhou (郑州) is the biggest city and capital of Henan Province, China. This prefecture-level city covers 7,446.2 sq km (2,875 sq mi) of which the urban area of Zhengzhou covers 1,010.3 sq km (390.1 sq mi). It has an urban population of 4.5 million people (2011 estimate) and a prefecture population of 7.4 million people.

Erqi Memorial Tower
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erqi.jpg
Author: Openthedoors
Zhengzhou is located on the southern bank of the Yellow River. Today it is the political, economic and educational center for Henan Province, as well as the transportation hub for Central China.

The history of Zhengzhou goes back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC), when the ancient cities of Aodu and Bodu were established in present-day Zhengzhou, this according to archaeological excavations carried out in Eastern Zhengzhou.

The first mention of Zhengzhou appeared in AD 581, during the Sui Dynasty. However the city was then located in another site, in Chenggao. It was relocated to the present site during the Tang Dynasty. Zhengzhou grew in importance when the New Bian Canal was constructed, as it is located at the confluence of the canal with the Yellow River.

Pagoda Forest at Shaolin Temple
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pagoda_Forest1.JPG
Author: Angus Cepka


Modern linkage for Zhengzhou came in the form of the Beijing-Hankou Railway, which was completed in 1903. Then in 1909, the completion of the first stage of the Longhai Railway connects Zhengzhou with Kaifeng and Luoyang, and eventually to Lianyungang in Jiangxu Province and Xi'an.

By the early 20th century, Zhengzhou had grown to become a major rail transport hub as well as agricultural produce center. Following the Communist takeover in 1949, Zhengzhou was developed into an industrial city based on cotton, textile, flour milling and tobacco, among others. Today it is become an increasingly modern city in Central China.

Zhengzhou-Xinzheng International Airport
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CGOairport.JPG
Author: Quimbero

Planning your trip to Zhengzhou

The Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) is about 37 km to the southeast of downtown Zhengzhou. It receives flights from major cities in China as well as from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei. There are buses from the airport to downtown Zhengzhou, stopping at Aviation Hotel on Jin Shui Road. The fare is ¥25.

You can also reach Zhengzhou by train. It has one of the biggest railway stations in the country. All major cities have services to Zhengzhou including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an. Regular trains from Beijing takes 11 hours, but the country is in the midst of building high-speed rail tracks that will link most of the cities.

Zhengzhou Railway Station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ZhengzhouRailwayStation.jpg
Author: Fanghong

Exploring Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou is quite sprawling, with lots of green space. That means walking is not an option. You may have to get acquainted with the local buses. They charge between ¥1 and ¥2 per ride. Taxi fares start at ¥6 during day time, ¥7 in the evening and ¥8 at late night, with every subsequent kilometer at ¥1.50.

Zhengzhou is your base for trips to the Shaolin Temple, famous for its association with the kungfu martial art. It is not within the city, but about two hours away.

Places of Interest in Zhengzhou

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Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

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